German Chancellor's Visit to Turkey

German Chancellor Angela Merkel concluded her two-day visit to Turkey on 30 March. On the first day she held talks with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, discussing possible sanctions for Iran, Turkey's relations with the EU, and the controversial issue of Erdogan's proposal for Turkish high schools in Germany.

During her tour, German Chancellor Merkel also met with Turkish President Abdullah Gul, and State Minister and Chief Negotiator for EU talks Egemen Bagis in Ankara. On the second day, the German chancellor went to Istanbal, accompanied by Bagis and Tourism Minister Ertugrul Gunay.

Iran's Issue
As far as Iran's issue is concerned, the German chancellor said the international community may have to consider stronger measures. She said: "If Iran does not in the end show transparency over the question of nuclear energy, we must also consider sanctions."

Turkey has been developing its trade and political relations with Iran in recent years, and Erdogan said he was against the possible measures. He said: "We are of the view that sanctions are not a healthy path and that the best route is diplomacy."

Turkey's Possible EU Membership
Talking about Turkey's possible European Union (EU) membership, German Chancellor Merkel dropped the term privileged partnership, saying she had realized that it did not have a positive connotation in Turkey. In any case, the "open-outcome process" of talks first required a whole raft of issues to be resolved, among which Merkel highlighted Turkey's need to take account of the interests of Cyprus, she pointed out. Merkel assuranced her Turkish counterpart: "We are continuing with the entry negotiations."

The German chancellor rebuffed allegations from Turkey that Berlin had altered the "rules of the game" during the negotiations. Although former Federal Chancellor Adenauer had promised membership to Turkey in the 1960s, the present EU was not to be compared with the then European Economic Community, she argued. Erdogan responded that Turkey continued to expect "full membership." He welcomed the fact that the "environment chapter" of negotiations with the EU had now been opened. He believed that the relations between Germany and Turkey should serve as a model for other EU countries' relations with Turkey.

Opening of Turkish High Schools in Germany
During her stay, the German chancellor softened her stance against Turkish schools in Germany. She supported the existence of Turkish-language schools, pointing out that many schools were already teaching the language in Germany, and said such programs should be expanded.

However, she stressed that these programs should not serve as an excuse for Turkish immigrants to forgo the study of German. She said both languages should be taught, highlighting the importance of bilingualism and the integration of immigrants into German society.